Bristol, VT vs Richmond, VT

Bristol is moderately more affordable than Richmond, with a 11.6% lower cost of living index. Bristol scores 99 compared to 112 for Richmond, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Richmond can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bristol is $1,290/month compared to $1,814/month in Richmond — a 29% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bristol has cheaper rent, Richmond actually has lower median home values ($261,900 vs $298,200).

Median household income in Bristol is $71,372 compared to $62,240 in Richmond (+14.7%). Bristol offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bristol spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, less than the 35% in Richmond. The Bristol ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.